The text for this blog post is copy pasted and slightly edited, from an email passed around.

An interview with Jyri Jaakkola, Finnish anti-authoritarian activist, murdered by paramilitaries in Oaxaca, Mexico, April 27. The interview was made February 1, in Finland, before leaving for Oaxaca.

An extract:

“If my presence could prevent violent moderation, that would be a thing to do. Paolo Freire said something like:

‘Real solidarity requires that you put yourself in the same position with the ones that you are in solidarity with’

Which to me means, that I got to put myself in the game somehow.

Even though I will never end up in the same position as the locals. I will have a plane ticket back to Finland, as well as this white skin color which will work as some kind of protective coloring, and so on.

Just to be there with local people, if it helps them. And to try to spread information about their struggle and their goals. I think that is the main reason why I am going there.”

.

Another clip with Jyri speaking, filmed less than a week before his death. On climate
issues. Hyökyaalto is a Finnish grassroots network inspired by the Rising Tide-network.

Jyri is the last speaker [20:40]. The clip is in Spanish, no subtitles:

… “we express our serious concerns and reservations regarding the military aid provided by the United States to Mexico. Instead, we urge for an approach that is more comprehensive and respectful of the human and civil rights of the Mexican population”

… “we urge the United States to consider ways to support a holistic response to security problems; based on tackling the root causes of violence and ensuring the full respect of human rights; not on the logic of combat.”

… “we urge the United States to consider ways to support a holistic response to security problems; based on tackling the root causes of violence and ensuring the full respect of human rights; not on the logic of combat.”